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PappyVanWise

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  1. PappyVanWise
    And the WaPo Food section finds more inspiration on DonRockwell.com KimKim sauce: From a Korean kitchen to trendy restaurants and stores
  2. PappyVanWise
    Southern Tier's Creme Brulee is a beer that's come up a few times in discussions of other beers. Some have used it as an example of a beer that's too sweet, while others point to it as a good example of untraditional flavors really making for a unique and delightful drinking experience. After the first quarter of this glass, I still can't decide which way I lean. This beer pours a pitch black with very minimal foam. After a few seconds in the glass a brown head, almost crema, forms on top of the beer. My initial reaction is that the aroma is much sweeter than the accompanying flavor, and I could see someone taking a whiff and being immediately turned off by this beer. The first few sips were heavy on the vanilla, which is not a bad thing. As I drank my way down the glass, the vanilla and sweetness kind of coated my mouth and it became less a beer and more a dessert drink. I really feel like I'm drinking some kind of espresso beverage from Starbucks, instead of beer. It's becoming more cloying and coating the more I drink. I'm about halfway through the glass, and while I'll finish it, I can't really recommend this for beer lovers. If however, you want something sweet with about a 10% ABV after dinner, this would hit the spot. A local Richmond brewery, Center of the Universe, makes a Lebowski-influenced White Russian Stout named El Duderino that I'd say is a better version of what Southern Tier is trying to do with this. That takes the milk and vanilla and combines them with the beer flavors. This on the other hand is more of a milkshake that has some beer poured into it. It probably sounds like I'm not enjoying this, but the funny thing is I am. It's just not beer. Back around the turn of the millennium, I'd hangout at the Brickskeller and I'd end my night ordering Dixie Brewing's long forgotten White Moose, which was a white chocolate flavored beer. As you can see from the BeerAdvocate posting, it was not a hit. But it holds a soft spot for 21 year old me, and I'm pretty sure I drank every bottle in the Skellar's stock. If I had to compare the Creme Brulee to anything else I've had, it would be the White Moose. So while I can't recommend, I won't blame you if you go for a bottle after dinner while there's still snow on the ground. Creme Brulee comes in 22 oz bombers and should be around $8. I'm really curious to hear others' thoughts on this one.
  3. PappyVanWise
    There's Bud Light, there's Hopslam. There's McDonald's, there's Michael Landrum. So there are Adam Sandler movies, and there's plenty out there that isn't an Adam Sandler movie.
  4. PappyVanWise
    Of the Best Picture nominees that I've seen so far, they've been plagued by an unrewatchability factor. Gravity was a spectacle in 3-D on a huge screen, but I can't imagine watching it on even the biggest TV in my living room. 12 Years a Slave is an important story, but seeing it once is probably enough. It'll stay with you. American Hustle was amusing, but doesn't belong on any greatest of all time lists. Even with Christian Bale who has been my favorite actor since American Psycho. David O Russell and Jennifer Lawrence are shaping up to be an amazing team, though. I'm glad they both realize it and will keep working together. Captain Phillips was all about the tension, even with it being a true story, but once you see how Tom Hanks handles the final 10 minutes or so you lose that tension for future showings. I haven't seen Her, Philomena, Dallas Buyers Club, Nebraska, or Wolf of Wall Street...and I'd bet that they will hold up better over time. Although the word on Dallas Buyers Club seemed to be two great performances in an overall average movie. The only category that is consistently good year after year for me is the Animated shorts. If you get a chance to see Disney's Get A Horse in 3-D, or even in 2-D, it really is a gem,
  5. PappyVanWise
    Bourbon, neat until the ice comes, then chip some off for a slushie.
  6. PappyVanWise
    I wouldn't call myself a beer expert, but I think that I'm pretty familiar with most everything distributed in the state of Virginia. When a friend, visiting from Arlington, saw this beer on sale for $3.99 a bottle and bought every single one of them all the shelf I figured I still had something to learn. His first moment of shock was that it was just sitting on the shelf at Whole Foods, while the second exclamation was at the 3.99 price tag, on sale for $1 off the regular price of $4.99. This is a $10 beer in DC he told me as he filled his cart with all twelve bottles, ensuring that one of the bottles would be for me. Last night I decided to open my bottle with along with some takeout Vietnamese from the most reliable option we've found in Richmond so far, Tay-Ho. The pairing was a perfect match. The Route des Epices could easily be overwhelmed by the addition of peppercorns in the brewing process, but while the flavor is in every sip, it is very subtle. The rye beer base recipe was very refreshing and by itself is a good beer to drink with a meal. The slight "tingling" (how it is described on the bottle) of the peppercorns really gives beer more of a cocktail feeling. One bottle could last throughout a meal, with a sip or two after every couple of bites to really enhance the flavor of the food. I was eating lemongrass stir fry, so the pairing could have just been kismet, and I'd be disappointed having this beer with a less complex dish. The less than stellar rating from the crowd on beer advocate lends some credence to this theory. All that being said, I'd definitely keep a bottle or two on hand to go with your last minute decision to swing by Pho 75 on the way home. It's 5% ABV, and I'm not sure who carries these beers in DC, but I'm sure you can find it around town.
  7. PappyVanWise
    One final suggestion? Amoo's Hell Burger. Think of the possibilities.
  8. PappyVanWise
    Here's a thread about Etna reds from Wine Berserkers if you need even more reading material: Need to discover more Etna Rossos
  9. PappyVanWise
    There were rumors that Bells was trying to up their production since they're expanding their distribution to New York this year. It started shipping to the mid-Atlantic on Jan 20th, and it showed up on shelves here in Richmond around Valentine's Day I think, maybe a few days earlier. There's also talk that places where Bells sells very well throughout the year get more cases allotted for their stores. This might account for places like Harris Teeter (which is Kroger down here and in Ohio) getting more inventory this year. So if you like your Hopslam, buy Oberon over the summer. And this is from the Hopslam FAQ on their website: Q: Is there more this year? A: We are trying to brew more but won't know the final numbers until it's all packaged and shipped.
  10. PappyVanWise
    Blanton's Bourbon got a shout out on Justified last night. So far I believe all of the name, or bottle, checked bourbons are Buffalo Trace Distillery products. I wonder if there's a promotional tie-in, doesn't look like the show actually films in the Bluegrass state. Forgot there also was a bottle of Wild Turkey being passed around in one scene, so maybe they are being more democratic with their product placement.
  11. PappyVanWise
    I think the best tweet I saw regarding Ramis's career was something along the lines of, If Stripes is the 6th funniest movie you wrote, it's safe to say you're a comic genius.
  12. PappyVanWise
    Sometimes there is a bottle that just sits on the shelf and stares at you. This can happen at your local bottle shop or just the shelf you keep your beer on at home. I probably walked by this beer 10 times before buying it. I don't know if it was the $15 price tag, the 22 oz. bottle of dark black stout that I couldn't imagine drinking on my own, or the memory of all too sweet stouts that didn't even pass the smell test. With a 98 from the field on Beer Advocate, and a palate tired of IPAs, I went ahead an picked up a bottle the other day. After pouring the beer into three glasses to share with some friends, taking the aroma in, then drinking the first sip I immediately hoped that I'd be able to go find a second bottle. Although it is pitch black in the glass with thick brown foam, it is not too syrupy like some stouts can be. There are excellent coffee flavors at the beginning followed by a sweetness leaning more towards vanilla than chocolate for me. With the dark colors, my brain was expecting a chocolate-base, so the vanilla was a very welcome surprise. Probably due to the name of the beer, I could easily picture the flavors being inspired by dipping a cookie into a strong cup of coffee. This is a definite buy again for me, even at the higher price and 11.5% ABV. It's a good one to share with a friend or two after dinner; I imagine a whole bottle might be your only drink of the night. Evil Twin also put out a Glazed Imperial Doughnut Break. I am probably too late to the party to find on the shelf, but am very interested in trying. Evil Twin Brewing is Denmark-based gypsy brewery that started in 2010 in Denmark. The founder is by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsí¸, who is the brother of Mikkeller's Mikkel Borg Bjergsí¸, another gypsy brewer.
  13. PappyVanWise
    Carytown, they had about 10 six packs on a table right when you walk in the right side entrance closest to the bank. Lots of roads closed getting out of the parking lot, though.
  14. PappyVanWise
    Another good reason to live in Richmond, a week later Hopslam is still for sale for $19 at Kroger.
  15. PappyVanWise
    Here's a locally made competitor. I think it's a little sweet as an everyday hot sauce, and I probably wouldn't use it in my pho, but it definitely has its fans. KIMKIM Korean Hot Sauce I don't know how big the production is now, but was definitely a handmade, hand bottled sauce when he began.
  16. PappyVanWise
    There are way too many "good deals" out there, even if you're just hooked into one mailing list it can keep your wallet empty and cellar full. I am planning on getting together a buying group in Richmond, so a bunch of people can get a few bottles here and there of things they like. Just the direct from winery deals are enough to maintain a buying group like this. Speaking of which...anyone interested in the Keating Wines Spring release? (Or Bedrock, or Sojourn, or Rasa, or Myriad, or etc...)
  17. PappyVanWise
    It's actually called Crystal Head vodka, and it's pretty spectacular. Dan Akroyd is an owner, or part owner, and it was launched around the time of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, so it gets called Crystal Skull a lot. I have about 7 or 8 of these bottles sitting around my house. It is by far my wife's favorite drink, so if anyone has an art project in mind...I am thinking of making a Crystal Head menorah for this upcoming hannukah.
  18. PappyVanWise
    Finally cracked one open tonight. Words really can't describe this, especially not words that have been used for other beers. It was deliciously caramel, with a perfect amount of carbonation, and a finish that just coated your mouth. This is a special occasion beer, that I hope to have five more reasons to drink over the next few years.
  19. PappyVanWise
    Drinking some of the 2011 tonight. I opened it two nights ago to watch the snow, forgot about it last night, and am finishing it tonight. The spiciness of the first night is gone, save for some minimal pepper notes. It's drinking beautifully after two days though, glad I have a few more bottles of this vintage.
  20. PappyVanWise
    Just make sure none of your competitors clean you out, Hopslam hoarding in Ohio. This blew up on social media a couple of weeks ago, but seems relevant today.
  21. PappyVanWise
    Not to thread creep, but Northern Virginia has three with more possible. Come down to Richmond for a weekend, and we'll put a few more in italics.
  22. PappyVanWise
    For those of you needing a refresher on just how bad and good these movies can be, the Cinemax family appears to be playing them all this month on their various channels. A handful of them are also on Cinemax on Demand. Caught some of Goldeneye last night, and wow, the techno-jargon alone is worth the price of admission.
  23. PappyVanWise
    Is it just the T-Fal Professional line that ATK recommended or T-Fal nonsticks in general?
  24. PappyVanWise
    Any new thoughts on nonstick cookware? I don't think we need dishwasher safe, but looking to replace some well-used Calphalon skillet pans.
  25. PappyVanWise
    Had a blind bourbon tasting tonight, in honor of my brother's 37th birthday the theme was bottles $37 and under. All were poured with one king cube, please don't judge, but people had to drive home afterwards Here's what we drank in order: Hooker's House Bourbon - first one we tasted and the winner of the night! Elmer T Lee - We were all fans of this before tonight, but it scored the lowest. Wouldn't stop any of us from buying it again. Elijah Craig 12 - Everyone enjoyed this, and we weren't surprised at the unveiling. This is a consistently good, well-priced bourbon that you won't feel wasteful mixing in a cocktail. Not the highest rating, but a solid middle of the pack choice. Some detected notes of rye Very Special Old Fitzgerald - Lots of good mellow flavor, we were slowing down at this point, but was an easy sipper. Colonel EH Taylor Small Batch - I knew this was one that I liked, even with the bottle hidden in a bag. If been drinking a lot of the entry level Col Taylor recently, and picked this as a favorite after the first sip. Overall I think this finished second to the Hooker's House. Old Weller Antique - I think this was the highest proof drink of the night at 107, but it was enjoyed by all. We all just kind of nodded in agreement after the first comment of "Hey, another good one." One of the Jefferson Presidential's - As we drank our 7th glass of the night, we all decided we just really liked bourbon.
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